African counter-terrorism ‘is creating extremists’
The UN says a heavy-handed approach by governments is a primary factor pushing people into violent groups

Counter-extremism measures deployed by African governments to tackle insurgency actually push more people into violent groups, according to the UN.
The finding, from one of the largest studies of its kind, "is likely to prompt controversy", says The Guardian.
Of more than 500 former members of violent militant organisations interviewed in the report, 71 per cent pointed to "government action", including "killing of a family member or friend" or "arrest of a family member or friend", as the incident that prompted them to join a group.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"In a majority of cases, paradoxically, state action appears to be the primary factor finally pushing individuals into violent extremism in Africa," the report says. "State security-actor conduct is revealed as a prominent accelerator of recruitment, rather than the reverse."
The UN estimates violent extremism has killed more than 33,000 people in Africa in the past six years.
Across the continent, the authorities have been accused of deploying heavy-handed tactics as they battle extremist groups such as Boko Harem, al-Shabaab and numerous other Islamic State and al-Qaeda offshoots. Kenya's government is alleged to be behind scores of extrajudicial killings, while Amnesty International has accused the Nigerian military of systematic human rights abuses.
Many of those interviewed expressed frustration at their economic situation, but more than three quarters said dissatisfaction with their government and politicians was a major factor in pushing them towards extremism.
Many security experts blame religious education for the spread of extremism, but although more than half of respondents cited religion as a reason for joining a group, 57 per cent admitted they knew little or nothing of religious texts.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Exploring the three great gardens of Japan
The Week Recommends Beautiful gardens are 'the stuff of Japanese landscape legends'
By The Week UK
-
Is Prince Harry owed protection?
Talking Point The Duke of Sussex claims he has been singled out for 'unjustified and inferior treatment' over decision to withdraw round-the-clock security
By The Week UK
-
Crossword: April 20, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
By Abby Wilson
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK
-
Why Serbian protesters set off smoke bombs in parliament
THE EXPLAINER Ongoing anti-corruption protests erupted into full view this week as Serbian protesters threw the country's legislature into chaos
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Who is the Hat Man? 'Shadow people' and sleep paralysis
In Depth 'Sleep demons' have plagued our dreams throughout the centuries, but the explanation could be medical
By The Week Staff
-
Have we reached peak population?
Under the Radar The global population is expected to plateau before the end of the century
By Abby Wilson
-
Why Assad fell so fast
The Explainer The newly liberated Syria is in an incredibly precarious position, but it's too soon to succumb to defeatist gloom
By The Week UK